Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz out for six weeks

02 November 2009 12:32

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Strachan saw the Austrian international stretchered off during his first game in charge - a 1-0 defeat by lowly Plymouth at the Riverside Stadium last weekend - but is hoping his return to frontline duties could be speeded up thanks to a protective mask. [LNB]Doctors operated on Pogatetz yesterday and have confirmed that the injury is a recurrence of the fractured cheekbone that he suffered during Boro's Uefa Cup run under Steve McClaren in 2006. [LNB]Middlesbrough v Aston Villa: PreviewA club spokesman said: "Emanuel Pogatetz underwent surgery at James Cook University Hospital yesterday after fracturing his left cheekbone against Plymouth Argyle. [LNB]"The normal recovery time would be six weeks but Boro's medical staff are hoping they might be able to fit him with a protective mask like the one worn by Mark Schwarzer during Boro's Uefa Cup final defeat by Seville. [LNB]"However, this may not be possible because the injury is a repetition of an earlier one. The injury is a recurrence of one Pogatetz sustained midway through he second half of Boro's 2-0 Uefa Cup quarter-final defeat at Basel in March 2006. [LNB]"He will be assessed by the surgeon in a week." [LNB]Pogatetz, nicknamed 'Mad Dog' by his colleagues during the McClaren era, was making his first start on Saturday after a six-month lay off with a knee injury. [LNB]He needed lengthy treatment after a clash of heads with Plymouth defender Shane Lowry when he challenged for a high ball from a corner early in the second half. [LNB]He was eventually carried off the pitch and taken to hospital following a five-minute stoppage. [LNB]"It's a shame for the big fella," Strachan said. "We brought him back in and he was so enthusiastic in everything he did." [LNB]As well as Pogatetz, Strachan will also be without former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere after he under went surgery on a troublesome ankle last week. [LNB]